Samsung's new SGH-N620 mobile phone, launched in the Middle East and East Asia during Eid Al Fitr 2001, comes with 16 polyphonic tones that sound like multi-instrument studio recordings.

The company said the product was the first in the world of its kind, and the Middle East and East Asia were chosen to be the first markets to receive it because of consumer preferences for 'sophisticated ring tones and classy styling'.

Each SGH-N620 comes with a selection of popular international, Arabic and Iranian hits so that buyers can use their favourite tunes to personalise their ring tones, said the company. The phone is available in four colours - white pearl, sky blue, silver and black.

Samsung Electronics' Dubai-based senior manager SB Kim said surveys of regional target markets showed that quality and versatility of ring tones was a key feature influencing mobile home purchasing decisions followed by distinctive styling.

"Most phones have exhausted other feature avenues such as backlight keyboards, built-in antenna and so on - leaving sound as the most important lifestyle differential."

Commenting on the phone's musical ability, the company said: "No other manufacturer has yet been able to do better than 'eight poly' and even that can only be sustained for a few bars of music - unlike Samsung's 16 tones which can carry an entire tune."

The SGH-N620 is WAP-enabled for direct Internet access and responds to any voice command while also having a powerful in-built organiser that acts as a digital diary.